Dacosta leaves City to free up cash for Robins’ summer schemes
COVENTRY City wing-back Julien Dacosta has joined League One Shrewsbury Town as manager Mark Robins continues to re-shape his squad.
The 26-year-old Frenchman has slipped out of favour under the Sky Blues boss and does not figure in his Championship plans with a year left on his three year contract.
Shrews’ boss Steve Cotterill attempted to sign the right-sided player in the January window but Dacosta opted to move to the Portuguese
top flight instead, signing on a half season loan for Portimonense for whom he made 11 appearances.
But Cotterill has come back in for the player who has played just 24 games for City since signing on a free transfer from French Ligue 2 side FC Chamois Niort in the summer of 2020. Dacosta has agreed to join the Shropshire club on a season-long loan deal, after which he will be a free agent next summer. The Sky Blues have an option to recall the player January.
The player will immediately hook up with former City teammate Jordan Shipley, who moved to the New Meadow for an undisclosed fee in early May.
Dacosta joins another familiar face in former City goalkeeper Marko Marosi who is also on the Shrews’ books, having joined last summer for an undisclosed fee.
Speaking to Town’s official website, Dacosta said: “I’m really happy to be here. It’s my first day and I’ve all the other guys and the gaffer so I’m happy and, to be honest, I can’t wait to start. [The facilities] are good. The training ground is good and I can’t wait to see the stadium and the fans.
“I’m a good physical full back with good crossing, good technique, I’m fast so I’m alright! I’m excited to work with the gaffer and the lads so I’m happy. I just want to work with all the lads, have a good pre-season, and start the season well.”
A second City Academy graduate has signed for Shrewsbury Town who now have four former Sky Blues on their books.
Tom Bayliss has joined the Shrews on a free transfer from Preston, ending his spell at Deepdale a year early than the four year deal he agreed when he signed from City for £2m in 2019.
The 23-year-old midfielder has penned a two-year deal at Montgomery Waters Meadow and hooks up with Shipley who he came up with through Coventry’s youth ranks and broke into the first team together
under Mark Robins, both playing a key role in the League Two promotion campaign.
He’s also reunited with goalkeeper Marosi, who is also on the books, while Dacosta has also joined Steve Cotterill’s side on a season-long loan.
Bayliss played 73 games for the Sky Blues, for whom he made his professional debut, but started just two league games in his three years at North End. The Leicester-born midfielder spent last season on loan at League One winners Wigan, featuring eight times for the Latics last term.
Speaking about his move, Bayliss told the Shropshire Star: “I’m a box-to-box midfielder, I like to excite, I like to get on the ball, I like to run with the ball and hopefully score some goals and get some assists.
“I mostly just want to get fans on the edge of their seats and just get back to enjoying my football again.”
He added: “I know Shipperz (Jordan Shipley) from our time at Coventry – we came through the system together – so I know his game quite well and he knows me pretty well too.
“I know Marko (Marosi) because he was there as well and I used to carpool with him and I’ve played against a few of the boys in my career as well and we’ve got a good group here so hopefully we can keep adding to that and have a successful season.”